Washing machine transmission



May 17, 1960 M. LOUTREL 2,936,605

WASHING MACHINE TRANSMISSION Filed May 15, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY 5 May 17, 1960 M. LOUTREL 2,936,605

WASHING MACHINE TRANSMISSION Filed May 15, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR may/4Q m ATTORNEY5 May 17, 1960 M. LOUTREL WASHING MACHINE TRANSMISSION 4 $heets$heet 3 Filed May 15, 1957 INVENTOR ATTORNEYfi May 17, 1960 M. LOUTREL 2,936,605

WASHING MACHINE TRANSMISSION Filed May 15, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR MOYW vat-Jaw #M ATTORNEYS United rates Patent O WASHING MACHINE TRANSMISSION Maurice Loutrel, Paris, France, assignor to C.E.M.A.M. Concord, Paris, France, a body corporate of France Application May 15, 1957, Serial No. 659,418 Claims priority, application France September 4, 1956 Claims. (Cl. 6823) This invention relates generally to washing machines, and more particularly to the structure and operating mechanisms of automatic washing machines provided with wash water recovery means.

The primary object of my invention is to provide novel transmission means in an automatic washing machine which causes the standard vertical agitator to oscillate within a stationary washing tub during the washing operation and which causes the agitator and the tub to rotate at high speed as a unit during the drying operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide an automatic washing machine with wash-water recovery having a strong, compact, vibration-free construction.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become more apparent from a study of the following specification when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a partially sectioned diagrammatic elevational view of the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the unit;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section view of the motor and transmission assembly;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the rack assembly which effects oscillatory movement of the agitator;

Fig. 5 is a partially schematic view of the hydraulic system of the apparatus.

Fig. 6 is a diagram of the electrical circuit of the machine;

Fig. 7 is a more detailed plan view of the control panel illustrated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a perspective cut away view of the tub support braking means;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 99 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly now to Fig. 1, an annular reservoir tank 1 is secured in the lower portion of the washing machine and is provided with an electric drain pump 2. Swivel rollers 3 secured to the lower portion of the tank 1 support and allow free maneuverability of the machine. A cover 4 is removably secured to the tank 1 to provide means of access to the tank interior for the cleaning thereof. Reference numeral 5 indicates. a level governing switch and reference numeral 6 indicates the water heating means. The heating means may be of either the gas burner or electrical heating resistor type as desired.

Centrally located within the annular tank 1 is the transmission housing 7. The housing is secured to and supported by the tank 1 by means of a plurality of spaced resilient blocks 8 intermediate housing flange 8a and supporting ring 9 integral with inner circumference of tank 1. The resilient blocks may be formed of rubber, plastic or other suitable material and serve to lessen machine vibration. A centrifugal pump 10 is provided adjacent the lower portion of the housing 7 and functions to drain the water from the outlet channel (as will be more "ice particularly described below with respect to Fig. 5). Adjacent the upper portion of the housing 7 is located the washing tub 11 containing the agitator 12.

A plurality of apertures 13 are peripherally located in the upper portion of the tub 11 to allow removal of the wash water by centrifugation or by overflow. A flexible rubber or plastic deflector 14 allows the water to fiow'by gravity into the annular channel 15 rigidly attached to the machine body 16 coaxially around the tub 11. Protective plate 17 is secured within the body 16 and constitutes a cover for the channel 15. Secured to the top 18 of the machine is the control dial assembly 19 and lid 20. The lid 20 is pivotally operable by means of push button 21 and spring hinges 22 to open automatically (Fig. 2). Operating dial 23 controls the admission of water to the machine and operating dial 24 controls the cyclic operation of the machine, as will be explained in greater detail below.

Referring now to Figs. 3, and 4, the details of the relatively simple transmission mechanism are shown and may be described as follows.

The reversible motor 31 which drives centrifugal pump 10 by means of shaft 31a, transmits motion to the machine transmission by means of a centrifugal mechanical clutch 32. One part of the clutch 32 is integral with the motor shaft and the other part is integral with the driving pinion 33 rotatably journalled in frame portion 33a, the coupling being made by means of weights 34 subject to the action of the centrifugal force.

For the washing operation the tub 11 is stationary and an oscillatory motion is transmitted to the agitator as follows.

Assuming that the shaft of motor 31 operates in a clockwise direction, the teeth 33b of driving pinion 33 co operate with the lower gear teeth 35a of reduction couple 35 to constitute a positive pressure oil pump, the function of which will be described in greater detail below. The upper gear 35b of reduction coupler 35 transmits driving motion to driven gear 36 which rotates freely upon vertical agitator shaft 45 and which transmits motion to driven gear 38. Driven gear 38 is coupled to pinion 40 in a unidirectional manner by the jamming action of rollers 39 in the cammed recesses 39a in the body of the driven gear 39 (Fig. 9). Pinion 40 transmits rotation to ring gear 41 having formed on its upper portion a cam 42 which transmits oscillatory movement to the agitator 12 by means of a rack 43 and pinion 44 fixedly connected to the agitator shaft 45. The rack 43, which is moved by eccentric 42 between slides 46 (Fig. 4), travels in an alternating rectilinear movement between slides 47 of tub support 48. Tubular extension 48a of the tub sup port is concentric of shaft 45 and supports the tub at its upper extremity.

During the washing operation the tub support is maintained immobile by means of drum 49 having brake band 50 thereon adapted to frictionally engage the lateral flange 51 of the tub support 48. Referring more particularly to Figs. 3 and 8, rotation of drum 49 with respect to the upper part 59 of the transmission frame 57 is prevented by tongues 49aprojecting from the inner wall of the drum, these tongues engaging with corresponding notches 58a cut in a disk 58 fixed by screws on the upper part 49 of the frame. The drum 49 is axially movable with respect to the axis of shaft 45 and is guided during such movement by the drum annular projection 49b slidably movable between the walls of annular chamber 53.

As indicated in Fig. 3, the oil, under pressure from pump 33b35, is fed through conduit 53a into an annular rubber pocket 53b disposed in the part of the annular chamber 53 remaining free above the upper surface of the projection 4911; upon expansion of the pocket 53b the drum 49 is thrust downwardly so that the brakeband .50 frictionally engages flange 51 of the tub support 48 to V immobilize the tub. If desired, conduit 53 might be formed as a flexible ring or diaphragm secured to the drum 49. Discharge 54 provides means for limiting the oil pressure in the conduit. Thus the tub 11 will be maintained stationary during the washing operation and oscillatory movement will be transmitted to the agitator shaft 45 by means of rack 43 and pinion 44.

For the drying operation, it is desired that the tub 11 and theagitator be connected to each other and rotatably movable as a unit. The direction of rotation of motor 31 isreversed by suitable switching means in the motor electrical supply causing pump 33b, 35a to operate at negative pressure as a suction pump. Spring 55 serves to move drum 49 upwardly to release the friction band 50 from the lateral extension 51 upon counter-clockwise ro tation of the shaft of reversible motor 31, the driving pinion 33 drives reduction couple 35 which transmits its movement to pinion 36; by means of a wedging action of free wheel 37, movement is transmitted to pinion 38 which turns loose on pinion 40. The agitator shaft 45, which rotates by means of pinion 36, carries rack 43 to an end position by means of pinion 44. The teeth of pinion 44 and rack 43 serve as a key or pin to transmit rotary motion to the tub support 48 and ring gear 41 by means of slide set 47, 46 (Fig. 4); from this movement pinion 40 increases speed without influence of free wheel '39.

It is further possible according to the instant invention, to operate the apparatus for ordinary washing with or without recovery ofthe washing water.

For ordinary washing the clothes are placed in the tub 11 and water is added by turning control dial 23 to 'City Supply (Fig. 7). Dial 23 governs switches 25 and 26 (Fig. 6) to place magnetic gate valve 27 under tension. Gate valve 27 is provided with a regulator 28 which causes constant flow regardless of the water supply pressure. When the tub has been filled to the desired level, dial 23 is returned to the Stop position, and the detergent is added to the tub.

The heating unit is then turned on and remains on until the water reaches the desired temperature preset by suitable thermostat means, not shown.

After heating, control dial 24 is initiated to commence operation of the controller governing the different automatic operations: washing, draining, drying, rinsing with spraying, refilling, churning, rinsing, final drying.

The washing operation induced by the controller cams 60 lasts approximately 20 minutes and is followed by a stop period on the order of 30 seconds.

The draining period likewise governed by the cams 60, is approximately 3 minutes. During this period the water rises along the walls of the tub 11, escapes through apertures 13, falls into channel 15, is drawn out by pump .10,-drawn back into the three-way gate valve 29, which minated, the gate valve 27 opens and, by means of the 1 flow regulator 28, allows the adequate refilling of the tub within 5 minutes.

The rinsing then takes place in an 8 minute period, the gate valve being continuously open as governed by cam 60. T he water continues to flow through the openings 13, thus allowing rinsing by overflowing. This rinsing method is an extremely eflicient means for removal of dirt particles, in that the particles are continuously directed to the surface. The water falls into channel 15 and runs the same course as in the emptying operation. During rinsing, the motor 31 rotates in the 4 washing direction and oscillatory movement is imparted to the agitator 12.

The termination of the movement is then made in 30 seconds with the final closure of the gate valve being governed by cam 62. The final drying, which lasts 9 minutes and 30 seconds, is governed by earns 60. The complete cycle has consequently lasted approximately 50 minutes.

For washing with recovery, just as for regular washing, the tub is filled with city water by turning dial 23 opposite the inscription City Supply. After the tub has been filled to the desired level, dial 23 is returned to the Tank position causing energization of switch 70.

The heat is then turned on and the boiling point of the wash water is awaited after addition of proper detergents.

After boiling, dial 24 is operated to commence the controller for washing, draining the tank, drying-sprayvrinsing, refilling, churn-rinsing, final drying, and return of the water from the tank to the tub.

The washing, which lasts approximately 20 minutes,

is carried out as normal washing and governed by cam 60. There is then a 30-second stop.

The tub is then drained in 3 minutes by operation identical to that of normal draining, but gate valve 29 is energized by cam 62, closing the drain removal circuit and opening the tub circuit.

For the drying-spraying-rinsing which lasts 3 minutes and 30 seconds, the gate valve 29 is set free by cam 62 and-the function is the same as for normal washing.

The refilling, the churn-rinsing, and the final drying are performed as for normal washing. Upon the end of the automatic cycle the operator recovers the water contained in the tank, immediately or subsequently, by returning button 23 to the Recovery position. Power is applied to electric pump 2 and the water contained in the tank ervoir tank 1 and if button 23 instead of being left in the Stop position is returned to the Tank position, the stored water will then be transferred to the drain by means of the level governing switch 5 controlling the switch to interrupt the feed of the three-way valve 29.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes I have illustrated and described the best embodiment of my invention known to me, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the apparatus described without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims:

v I claim:

1. In awashing machine having a frame, a tub rotatably mounted in said frame, an agitator mounted within said tub, and transmission means for oscillating said agitator when said tub is maintained stationary during the washing operation and for rotating the tub and agitator as a unitduring the drying operation; the improvement wherein said transmission means comprises a housing, a

reversible electric motor mounted in said housing and having a vertical output shaft, an oil pump mounted in said housing and driven by said motor output shaft, said pump producing positive oil pressure in one direction upon rotation of said motor in a first direction and suction oil pressure in the other direction upon rotation of said motor in the opposite second direction, rack and pinion means driven by said motor output shaft to oscillate said agitator when said motor rotates in said first direction, a vertical tub supporting shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, and brake means in said housing responsive to said positive oil pressure for preventing rotation of said tub when said motor rotates in said first direction.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said tub supporting shaft has a circular flange extending radially outwardly from the periphery of the lower end thereof, and further wherein said brake means comprises a brake drum concentrically arranged about said tub supporting shaft and vertically movable within the transmission housing, spring means normally biasing said brake drum out of engagement with said circular flange, a flexiblewalled annular conduit concentrically arranged about said tub supporting shaft adjacent said brake drum on the side thereof which is opposite from said circular flange, said means providing cormnunication between said conduit and said oil pump to cause the walls of said conduit to expand when positive pressure oil is introduced into the conduit and thus to urge said brake drum into fric-' tional engagement with said circular flange.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 and further including means for rotating said tub supporting shaft when said motor rotates in the second direction, said spring means moving said brake drum out of frictional engagement with the tub supporting shaft flange upon the reduction of oil pressure in said flexible-walled conduit.

4. Washing machine apparatus comprising a frame, a vertical cylindrical tub rotatably mounted in the upper portion of said frame, an agitator mounted Within said tub colinearly with the longitudinal axis thereof, motor and transmission means for oscillating said agitator and for rotating said tub, said motor and transmission means being mounted in said frame colinearly beneath said tub and said agitator, an outlet channel secured to said frame concentrically about the upper portion of said tub, said tub having openings at the upper periphery thereof for discharging wash Water from said tub into said outlet channel by centrifugation upon rotation of said tub, a reservoir tank mounted concentrically about said motor and transmission means beneath said tub, and pump means including a solenoid-actuated valve for pumping the wash water from said outlet channel into said reservoir tank when said valve is in one position and for pumping the wash water to drain means external of said apparatus when the valve is in another position.

5. Washing machine apparatus comprising a frame, an annular reservoir tank rigidly secured to said frame within the lower portion thereof, the longitudinal axis of said reservoir tank being vertical, a motor and transmission housing colinearly arranged within and resiliently connected to said reservoir tank, a vertical washing tub supported by said motor and transmission housing colinearly thereabove, an agitator colinearly arranged within said Washing tub, transmission means in said housing for oscillating said agitator when said drum is maintained stationary during the washing operation and for rotating said drum and agitator as a unit during the drying operation, an outlet channel secured to said frame concentrically about the upper portion of said tub, said tub having openings at the upper periphery thereof for discharging Wash water from said tub into said outlet channel by centrifugation upon rotation of said tub, and pump means including a solenoid-actuated valve for pumping the Wash water from said outlet channel into said reservoir tank when said valve is in one position and for pumping the Wash water to drain means external of said apparatus when the valve is in another position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,187,413 Boezi Jan. 16, 1940 2,375,635 Dyer May 8, 1945 2,526,969 Powers Oct. 24, 1950 2,579,598 Morrison Dec. 25, 1951 2,584,833 Beucler Feb. 5, 1952 2,588,774 Smith Mar. 11, 1952 2,751,773 Woodson June 26, 1956 

